Mason Jar Hand Pump Vac?

WarMachine

Well-Known Member
Just wondering why so many people are against using a mason jar as a vacuum chamber with a hand pump? I usually winterize my extract so haven't used a vac for a bit but I busted it out yesterday for a tiny run (~3.5g of nug run) and it worked pretty well still. Most people say because it can't reach -29.5 hg, which is correct it can't (or at least I can't) but I do reach -27hg and I reach it pretty quickly. So just wondering basically, any other reason why it's frowned upon? Is it the lack of constant vac? I thought your supposed to turn it off once it reaches 29.5hg anyways?
 
I had stumbled upon an article not too long ago that showed a mason jar that imploded to the pressure. Didnt say anythin about how hot or cold it was but was more of a picture and a warning. I thought well Id try this but the risk of wasting a great nug run with glass didn't seem worth it. For science.... Id do it it but i don't make the hash often. Could the pump have been too much? Sure. It wasn't noted what was used but anything is possible under stresses. I wondered if it had anything to do with the metal lid and screw cap being that metal and glass have different tensile strengths under pressure.
 
Not sure how. I've been vacuum sealing jars for years for multiple reasons. Even the little vacuum sealers when you use the jar attachment get to -27. I would think the glass either had a defect or someone trying to pry the lid off or something. I've never had a jar break from vacuum though. Ugh ugh.
 
I would be game to use it with a jar that didn't have much design on it and is new from the get-go. My question to you guys would be is it just a hand pump you'd rig up or go
A little bit more tech and get a small air compressor rigged to run the vaccum?
 
I would only use a hand pump if attempting to purge with a jar. Though keep in mind you might not be able to reach "full" vacuum. Not sure how a mason jar would be at -29-30. @-27 never had issues with jars. But just to be safe, though if you try it with a real pump report back just take precaution. But I wouldn't use a jar with a vacuum sealer, like food saver or zip lock, and attachment. Reason being you're purging off butane. I'd be concerned the pump could cause a smaller explosion. Being moisture safe and volatile safe are two different things in my book. Though that is solely an assumption, and one I don't intend to test.
 
Ok I like the idea of purging in a simple jar with a bit of control. Now I need to find my hand pump and a schematic recommended for this operation.
 
Reason I like the hand pump also is how quiet it is. You can be pretty stealth with it. That's the vac I reached after 3 minutes of pumping. The jar size obviously dictates how long you will be pumping. Small run, small jar.
 

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Nice pics, I had something else in mind with a different pump and a fixture screwed into the mason lid. Where did you find your pump@WarMachine
 
Dude. This harbor freight site is fricken awesome! I just found a plastic welding kit that runs at 80 watts. This thing is perfect for some knife hits if a torch is not available or some vaporizing! I keep remembering that some ads for this store is found in many newspapers and I've wanted to go to one of their stores but never followed through because I thought they were in another state. There's one down town!
 
you would want jars specifically for canning hit things...they are subjected to a bit of pressure when you seal in heat and put it on the shelf.
 
Just wondering why so many people are against using a mason jar as a vacuum chamber with a hand pump? I usually winterize my extract so haven't used a vac for a bit but I busted it out yesterday for a tiny run (~3.5g of nug run) and it worked pretty well still. Most people say because it can't reach -29.5 hg, which is correct it can't (or at least I can't) but I do reach -27hg and I reach it pretty quickly. So just wondering basically, any other reason why it's frowned upon? Is it the lack of constant vac? I thought your supposed to turn it off once it reaches 29.5hg anyways?

Less people use a hand vac because of how much physical effort it requires. Unless you have wrists like most folks necks, it gets tedious and tiring as time wears on.

We don't pull -29.5 Hg vacuum and stop, we keep it at -29.5" Hg as the solvents boil off and the pressure tries to rise.

Lots happens between -27" Hg and -29.5" Hg.

Mason jars get dicey under vacuum. I've seen some larger than quarts implode.

I don't think it is a matter of a mason jar and brake bleeder not working, but more of a matter of how much effort it takes for how long and how cheap Harbor Freight vacuum pumps are.
 
Ahhh I get ya @Fadedawg but when you say you keep it at -29.5 HG, you mean after it reaches that number you keep the pump going? or once you reach -29.5" you turn of the pump but keep the pressure at -29.5"?

With me, it really doesn't take much effort to pump it to -27hg, I just can't pump it to -29.5 (granted I didn't give it my best best). The HF pumps are cheap for sure,but I also like how quiet a hand pump is compared to the vacuum pumps. If effort is the biggest downfall, than I am ok :)
 
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